*Purpose: Recently, transplantation of organs from viremic donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV-V) has increased. Currently, there is a lack of standardization of consent forms and patient education materials regarding this issue. We aimed to characterize the post-transplant experiences and challenges faced by patients with donor-derived HCV as a quality control study.

*Methods: All adult patients transplanted at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) since 2016 with donor-derived HCV infection were surveyed regarding their financial and social experiences post-transplant. Patients with pre-transplant HCV infection were excluded. Surveys were conducted via telephone or in person.

*Results: 58 patients with donor-derived HCV infection were eligible for the survey. Of these, 40 completed the survey and 3 refused. 2 patients were deceased at the time of survey administration and the results of the other 13 are pending. The majority were male (n=34), and identified as either Hispanic (n=20) and/or White (n=15). Organs transplanted included heart (n=18), kidney (n=13), heart/kidney (n=2), liver (n=4), liver/kidney (n=1) and lung (n=8). Many recipients chose to accept an HCV-V organ because they thought it would decrease their waitlist time (n=28) and/or because their doctor recommended it (n=24). Eighteen thought they were too sick to wait for an HCV-uninfected offer. Post-transplant, two persons reported feelings of isolation due to the HCV infection and seven reported higher than anticipated costs of HCV medications. Patients were concerned about transmitting HCV to partners (n= 18) and to their family/ friends (n=14). Almost all (n=37) felt the education they had received prior to transplant was adequate. Although, in open ended questioning, three persons requested additional education regarding HCV transmission risk. Overall, patients reported very positive experiences after receiving HCV-V organs for transplant (n=38) and 36 stated that they would definitely accept an HCV-V organ again.

*Conclusions: Real-world patient experiences surrounding HCV-V organ transplantation, at our institution, have been favorable. For most, insurance has covered the cost of HCV treatment. The greatest challenge cited, however, was concern for risk of viral transmission to family and friends. Special emphasis should be placed on educating patients on transmission risk in the pre and post-transplant periods.

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